Epilogue
Killian’s coronationceremony had come and gone. The events leading up to that day and the ceremony itself were just a blur of memories now. It had been months since the previous king’s funeral, and Killian had some difficulty adjusting to life as the new pack alpha. But with Scout and his friends by his side, he managed to overcome the hurdles.
Now Killian was facing a different struggle. He sat, wracked with anxiety, bouncing his leg up and down. The waiting room was white and sterile, and the atmosphere stressed him out even further.
Stark and Kyle sat across from him. Stark flipped idly through a magazine while Kyle looked at his phone. That was another new development, Killian thought. Stark had bought Kyle the phone and offered him a place to stay in the royal guard quarters. Since Killian became king, one of his first orders of business was to abolish the omega breeding stock facility. It was now being renovated into a brand-new day care, per Scout’s suggestion.
Killian let out a heavy sigh, wondering if these two would get to use it as well.
“Hey,” Stark said, drawing Killian’s attention. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. You should go do something instead of sitting around waiting here.”
Killian grumbled. “How can I do something else knowing my mate is in there giving birth?” He sat back in his chair, running an exasperated hand through his hair. “It’s been so long already, I’m just… worried.”
“Labor takes a long time,” Kyle said. “Omegas learn about it in sex ed, actually. It’s normal for it to exceed a few hours.”
“Besides, I’m pretty sure the nurses would come out to inform us if there was a problem,” Stark said.
Killian knew they were right, but it didn’t stop the clammy, anxious feeling coiling through his gut. “What about you two?” Killian asked. He wasn’t sure what came over him, but he blurted out the question before he realized what he was doing.
Instantly, Kyle blushed. Stark slowly looked back up from his magazine.
“Huh?” Stark blinked.
Then Killian caught Kyle’s wide eyes. The omega shook his head ever so slightly, just enough for Killian to notice it. His expression said it all — Stark was still oblivious to the fact that Kyle liked him.
“I mean, when you get mates of your own,” Killian said quickly. “You’re gonna go through all this anxiety too.”
Stark chuckled. “Oh, for sure. Who knows when that’ll be, though.” He grinned. “It’s a good thing we’ll have you to answer all our questions, eh, Kyle?”
The omega forced a stiff smile. “Definitely.”
Killian regretted bringing it up. He saw how badly Kyle wanted Stark to know how he felt about him, but it wasn’t Killian’s place to butt in.
The door opened and a nurse came rushing out. “King Killian, your majesty! Your baby is here!”
Killian nearly toppled out of his seat. Scrambling to his feet, he raced towards the nurse, who led him down the hall. Stark and Kyle were hot on his heels.
The nurse stopped suddenly in front of a closed door. “I’m sorry,” she said, addressing the other two. “I’m afraid only the father can come in right now.” She turned to Killian. “And only for a few minutes. We need to get the baby checked and prepared.”
Killian was barely listening. He nodded until she opened the door. Scout was there with an exhausted smile, holding a bundle in his arms. Killian’s heart raced. He stepped forward slowly. “Scout,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” Scout said. “But enough about me. Look.”
Killian’s eyes grew wide and brimmed with tears as he gazed down on the pink face of his baby. “Oh…” He reached down, very gently, to brush a thin black lock of hair out of the baby’s face.
Scout smiled up at him. “She looks just like you.”
Killian’s heart skipped a beat. “She?”
“Yep,” Scout said. “Our baby girl.”
“Baby Kendra,” Killian murmured.
Leaning down, Killian pressed a soft kiss to Kendra’s forehead. She made a small cooing noise. Her parents chuckled.
“She’s so cute,” Scout said. Killian noticed now that he was crying too. He wiped the tears from the corner of his mate’s eyes. “Thanks. I don’t know why I’m crying. It must be the hormones or something.”
“It’s fine,” Killian murmured.
